North Carolina Sen. Overcash hazing law reform bill passes House and Senate

Passed bill sponsored by State Sen. Brad Overcash seeks to reform hazing laws by defining offenses, setting penalties, and requiring educational institutions to implement anti-hazing policies and reporting procedures, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

In the House, 36 Democrats and 61 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while nine Democrats opposed it.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 18 Democrats and 29 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Overcash filed the bill in the North Carolina Senate on March 20 during the 2025 regular session.

The legislation, known as SB 375, was passed on June 25 during the 2025 regular session.

According to the North Carolina General Assembly site, the bill’s official text was formally listed with the short title: “Harrison’s Law.”

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill seeks to reform hazing laws in North Carolina by revising the criminal offense of hazing and mandating educational institutions to develop anti-hazing policies and procedures. It repeals the existing statute on hazing, replacing it with a detailed definition that includes acts forcing minors or students into dangerous or degrading activities for membership in organizations. It introduces penalties for personal and organizational hazing offenses, with fines up to $15,000 and potential felony charges. Additionally, the bill requires schools and higher education institutions to investigate hazing reports, develop plans to prevent hazing, and maintain transparency by publishing records of hazing violations. Institutions must report serious violations to law enforcement within 72 hours. The changes apply to offenses on or after Dec. 1, 2025, and educational measures commence in the 2025-26 school year.

A related bill, HB 632, was also filed in the North Carolina House, introduced by Rep. Stephen M. Ross (and three others) on March 31, 2025.

The bill was sponsored by Sen. Lisa S. Barnes (Republican-11th District), Sen. Amy S. Galey (Republican-25th District), and Sen. Brad Overcash (Republican-43rd District).

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Overcash graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA and again from University of Mississippi with a JD.

Overcash, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 43rd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Kathy Harrington.

Under North Carolina law, bills must receive three readings in each chamber. According to the UNC School of Government, once a bill “passes its constitutionally required second reading and moves to its constitutionally required third reading,” additional debate can occur, but the final stage is often treated as a formality. Unless a legislator requests a roll-call, the third reading may be approved by voice vote or unanimous consent without a separate recorded tally.